The best things to do in Chania, picked by locals: the Venetian harbour and Old Town, markets, museums, beaches, sunset spots and the top day trips.
Quick answer: the top things to do in Chania are walking the Venetian harbour and Old Town, visiting the covered market and the weekly laiki markets, swimming at Nea Chora and the Akrotiri beaches, watching the sunset from the Venizelos Graves, and day trips to Balos, Elafonisi, Samaria Gorge and Lake Kournas.
In Chania town
1. Walk the Venetian harbour and lighthouse
Follow the curved waterfront from the Firkas fortress to the old shipyards and out along the breakwater to the lighthouse. Go at sunset, then return for dinner by the water.
2. Get lost in the Old Town
The lanes of Topanas, the old Jewish quarter and Splantzia are full of Venetian mansions, small churches and courtyards. Our Old Town walking guide takes you through each quarter.
3. Visit the museums
The Archaeological Museum of Chania in Halepa, the Maritime Museum in the Firkas fortress and the Byzantine collection near the harbour all tell parts of the city's long story. See our guide to the museums of Crete.
4. Shop at the markets
Browse the covered Municipal Market (Agora) and the leather shops of Skridlof Street, and join locals at the weekly laiki street markets for fruit, cheese, honey and herbs.
5. Swim at Nea Chora
The town beach is a short walk west of the harbour, with fish tavernas such as Achilleas on the sand.
6. Watch the sunset from the Venizelos Graves
The hill at Akrotiri where the statesman Eleftherios Venizelos is buried has a wide view over Chania and the bay.
7. Eat well
Book a table at one of our favourite taverns and try the Cretan dishes you will not find at home.
Day trips from Chania
8. Balos and Gramvousa
The famous lagoon is about an hour west. See our Balos guide.
9. Elafonisi
Pink sand and a shallow lagoon in the far south-west. See our Elafonisi guide.
10. Falasarna
A long sandy beach facing the sunset. See our Falasarna guide.
11. Akrotiri beaches and monasteries
Stavros, Seitan Limania and Marathi are all on the Akrotiri peninsula, together with the monasteries of Agia Triada and Gouverneto.
12. Samaria Gorge
The classic all-day hike, usually open from May to October. See our Samaria Gorge guide.
13. Lake Kournas
Crete's only natural freshwater lake, east of Chania, with pedal boats and turtles near the shore.
14. Sfakia and Loutro
Cross the White Mountains to the south coast. See our Sfakia guide.
15. Rethymno
Another beautiful Venetian old town, about an hour east. See our Rethymno guide.
How many days do you need in Chania?
Two days cover the town itself. A week lets you add the best beaches and a gorge. Our 7-day itinerary shows how to fit it together.
Is Chania walkable?
Yes. The Old Town and harbour are compact and largely pedestrian; you only need a car for beaches and day trips.
